BETHANY, Okla. - Southern Nazarene dropped a nail-biter in Bethany Saturday afternoon, falling in the final seconds to Southeastern Oklahoma State, 20-19. 

History shows the Savage Storm (3-4, 3-4 GAC) have had more success in the SNU-SE matchup, maintaining a 7-2 winning edge over the Crimson Storm (3-4, 3-4 GAC), who's last victory over SE came last season in Durant, 45-34. 

On paper, SNU was the offensive aggressor, putting up 263 passing yards and 221 rushing yards, 313 more yards of total offensive than the Savage Storm. Two successful field goals made all the difference in SE's victory as the game came down to just a single point in the final moments. 

Southern Nazarene turned on the jets early in the opening drive of quarter one, when Gage Porter raced up the right side on the third play for a 74 yard touchdown, taking the early 7-0 lead over the Savage Storm. The Savage Storm felt the pressure from the home-team defense and reached a quick three-and-out, giving the ball back to SNU from their own 11-yard line. 

SNU couldn't make anything of their next drive and Southeastern went to work from their own 38-yard line. The Savage Storm also put together a quick possession that ended with a 46-yard rushing score, knotting the game up at 7-7 with just under five minutes left in the opening quarter. 

A Crimson Storm fumble from the SNU24 was recovered by the blue and gold, but the SNU defense put up a wall to stop SE's next drive, forcing a turnover on downs and getting the ball back on the SNU1. Another turnover by the Crimson Storm halted their offensive energy and the ball was back in the hands of Southeastern. With great field possession at the SNU17, the Savage Storm were once again denied by the stifling SNU defense as Emmanuel Obinna stepped in front of the pass on third down. 

Southeastern was able to settle for a field goal, and they sank the ball through the uprights for the 10-7 lead just before the end of the first quarter. 

SNU's Q2 opening drive reached a quick stop after two incomplete passes put them at 4th & 5. The Savage Storm began their next possession from their own 49-yard line and took advantage of a costly SNU pass interference call to inch closer to the end zone. Quarterback Weston Conaway found an open receiver in the end zone and got the 26-yard completion, running up their lead to 17-7 after the successful extra point attempt. 

With just under 11 minutes left in the first half, SNU looked to cut the deficit. The Crimson Storm could not connect on the passes and two incompletions turned up another turnover on downs, putting the ball on Southeastern's 31-yard line for SE to begin their next drive. The Savage Storm put together a few successful plays to reach the SNU10, but SNU's Carter Brock charged Conaway and got the sack for a loss of seven yards. That sack shook up Conaway and SE faced another turnover on downs after an incomplete pass, awarding SNU the ball back on their own 17-yard line with four minutes to work with before halftime. 

The Crimson Storm wasted no time closing the gap when Braxton Burd capped off a 7-play, 83-yard drive with a 12-yard run up the right side for the touchdown. Kameron Van Prooyen got the extra point to go and SNU trailed the Savage Storm 17-13 heading into halftime. 

The SNU defense made it a difficult opening possession for the Savage Storm at the start of the third quarter, forcing three pass incompletions that brought up fourth down and a field goal opportunity. Savage Storm kicker Jackson Nalley put it through the post from 37 yards out and quickly bumped their lead up 20-13. 

Down by just a single score, SNU went to work on moving the chains. After a few successful plays, the SE defense came up with a big stop at the SE37, bringing Porter down before he could scramble to make a play. Getting the sack for a loss of nine, Southeastern forced the Storm to punt. 

The passing game proved to be unsuccessful for the Savage Storm in their next drive, so they resorted to the ground attack, inching closer and closer to the end zone. Conaway was able to land a 25-yard completion just before the end of the third quarter for the first down, heading into the final 15 minutes still ahead 20-13 over SNU. 

Continuing their drive from the third quarter, Conaway connected with one of his receivers for what would have been a quick touchdown for the Savage Storm, but a SE false start called off the score and Southeastern was forced to settle for a field goal. Their attempt was unsuccessful and SNU still trailed 20-13 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. 

In SNU's next drive, Porter escaped several Savage Storm defenders and pitched it to Kolbe Branch who raced up the middle for a gain of nearly 80 yards, but an illegal forward pass call brought the ball back to SNU15. The Crimson Storm could not advance the ball in the next few snaps and were forced to punt once more, placing the ball at the SE45 with 11 minutes left in Q4. 

The Savage Storm continued to trust the run-game, keeping the chains moving to get all the way down to the SNU12. Conaway lofted up a risky pass and its was snagged out of the air by Carter Brock, giving SNU the ball back on their own 21-yard line. 

SNU's offense exploded in the proceeding drive as Josh Flores found an open Donavaughn Hill for 36 yards to the SNU46. Porter followed that with 26-yard completion to Asa Robertson and quickly reached Southeastern territory with just under seven minutes left on the clock. After a few snaps, SNU found themselves on the Savage Storm 3-yard line and Porter capped off the drive with a rush up the middle, putting his team behind a single point with five minutes remaining in the game. 

The Crimson Storm failed at securing the tie with the failed extra point attempt and Southeastern remained ahead 20-19 with under five minutes left to work with. 

Southeastern began their next drive at their own 25-yard line and put a few successful rush attempts that brought them all the way to the SE42. The Savage Storm were stopped dead in their tracks after a huge tackle from Cole McMahan and the Crimson Storm had to resort to a punt with two and a half minutes left on the clock. 

From the SNU24, the Crimson Storm began their comeback and Porter led the attack, marching down the field for first down after first down. After suffering from an incomplete pass, Porter was scouted by the Southeastern defense and they came up with a sack for a loss 10 yards, bringing up 3rd down. 

SNU was unable to gain success in the final plays of the drive, due to a holding penalty and an incomplete pass, leaving it up to a 55 yard field goal to change the course of the game with 12 seconds left. Adam Atwell's attempt was no good and Southeastern was awarded the ball back at their own 38-yard line. The Savage Storm let the clock trickle down and survived the 20-19 win over SNU. 

Up Next 

Southern Nazarene will head back on the road to East Central on Saturday, October 21st. The last time the Storm defeated the Tigers was in 2018, grabbing the 45-20 win in Bethany. Kick off for Saturday's game is set for 2 p.m.